There are many reasons that cause seniors to have problems with healthy eating. These problems may result in serious health problems if they are not addressed. It is important to take these obstacles into consideration when planning senior meals and find ways of overcoming them. The following tips will help you overcome some of the most common problems faced by seniors.
Many seniors find themselves alone once their children are grown up and have moved away. Many of us may take company for granted. However, having a healthy social atmosphere around you helps you eat. Many seniors have problem eating simply because of the lack of company during meals. You can overcome this by sharing as many senior meals as possible with others.
Make dates with your loved ones that involve meals. You can visit your loved ones or have them visit you during meal times and share the meals with them. Have them do this on a rotary basis to ensure that they do not get tired of visiting.
Get out and join other seniors in classes and other activities. You are likely to meet other people in a similar situation. Make friends and have dinner and lunch dates often. You can also join a senior community centre and take part in their meals and activities. Meals are a great way to meet other seniors in your community.
If you are having difficulty with senior meals because of loss of appetite, you should speak to your doctor about this. The loss in appetite may be as a result of the medication that you are taking. You can have your medication changed or the dosage adjusted to suit your needs. If this doesn’t work, you should try and enhance the flavor of your food. You can do this by adding ingredients that naturally enhance the flavor of food such as spices, onions, olive oil and vinegar.
Many elderly people have problems eating senior meals because they find them difficult to chew. You can ensure that you eat softer foods or drink smoothies to reduce the impact on your gums. Soft foods may include couscous, mashed potatoes and peas, rice and yoghurt.
You may also have a problem with senior meals because of a dry mouth. This may make eating
uncomfortable for you. Simply drink more water to keep yourself hydrated. Drink at least 8 – 10 glasses of water every day. You should drink water as you eat to keep your mouth moistened. You can further increase the moisture in food by adding sauces and salsas. If this doesn’t work, ask your doctor to provide you with a recommendation for artificial saliva products to help you eat comfortably.
